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OU-L’s ‘Cinderella’ premieres to packed theater

Published 7:10 p.m. ET July 20, 2014

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Erin Chapman, as Cinderella, reads the invitation to the ball during a performance of Cinderella at Ohio University Lancaster’s Wagner Theatre Sunday.
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Jones blended acting, musical and voice talent, wonderful lighting, special effects, choreography, and an 18-piece orchestra to delight a packed theater during the premiere of “Cinderella” in OU-L’s Wagner Theatre for the Lancaster Festival.

Currently on a Broadway run, “Cinderella” is in production on only a handful of stages across the United States, said Jones, lecturer of theater and artistic director at OU-L.

The original Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, starring Julie Andrews, was the most widely viewed show — seen by more than 100 million people — in the history of television when it aired in 1957.

Local residents in this production range in age from 5 to 65. Jones is building on three previous summers of shows, with this being his third musical.

“We couldn’t have done this four years ago. We have amazing vocals, passionate musicians, so many new people who are so good,” he said.

Sunday’s productions also included Lancaster Festival Orchestra cellist Monica Godbee and violinist Calvin Lewis. Four other string musicians joined the theater orchestra, directed by Jones.

Erin Chapman, new to the OU-L stage, and Jordon LeuVoy, of last summer’s “The Producers,” and the rest of the cast lent their considerable talents to “The Sweetest Sounds,” “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible — It’s Possible,” “There’s Music in You” and more.

A veteran of early theater showcases, fairy godmother Kenya Hughes is amazed at how far she, and OU-L theater, have come — “from a cardboard set to real walls” and to special effects that include Hughes suspended over the stage.

“It was intimidating at first. I trust the people who set it up,” he said.

From fireplace mice to the big screen with its clock ticking midnight to elaborate costumes, the musical brought the favorite fairy tale to life.

Stage manager Tyler Shahan, a sophomore deaf studies and interpreting major who stars as one of the royal stewards, described performing in “Cinderella” as “the highlight of my summer. I know why I’m here. I’m a part of something this big ... so big, so grand, in Lancaster.”

Budding reporter Jessikah McGee, 8, came to see her cousin Jesse Crook, also one of the royal stewards. She noted the “really talented” actors on her spiral pad.

And she hoped to see “happily ever after.”

It happened, to cheers, much applause and a standing ovation.

Tuesday at the Festival

•
12:15 p.m.: Wendy Pennington: Playing rock, country and everything in between at the Bandstand. Free.